THE LATE MAJOR HUNTER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume 1, Issue 43, 5 December 1868, Page 6

THE LATE MAJOR HUNTER.

AYe extract the following from a letter which appeared in the "Daily Times." William M'Greo Hunter was the son of a gentleman of property in the north of Ireland; his mother (who survives him) was a daughter of the late Thomas M'Gree, Archbishop of Dublin, a divine of great learning, and well known in the world of theological literature. The gallant subject of my memoir was born about the year 1833, and was therefore only 35 years of age when he met his death in the defence of his adopted country, to which he had emigrated in 1861 with his brother the late Lieut. Henry Boyle Hunter, who only so lately sacrificed his life fighting with equal gallantry in the same cause. He was educated at Pastoral School, Enniskillen, and subsequently at Trinity College, Dublin; At the outbreak of the Crimean war he was appointed a subaltern in the Antrim Rifles, in which he served come years. This was a regiment which, as will be remembered by all acquainted with our Militia Army of Eeserve during tbe war, was second to none as regards drill and discipline, and it was in this good school no doubt that in Major Hunter was fostered that great 'aptitude for military organisation and drill for which he was so distinguished in our colomal service, as I believe it will be admitted by all who have ever seen him drill a battalion that he did so in a manner certainly not excelled, if equalled, by any officer in this service. In 1857, he jmssed the school of musketry at Hythe, obtaining a firstclass certificate, and on the outbreak of the late war in the North Island, in 18(53, Lieut. Colonel Pitt, afterwards Military Secretary to G-enerals Cameron and Chute, selected him fpr the. post of Adjutant of the Ist "Vfaikato JJegiinent, with which he served for nearly five years. On the formation of the newly established corps of the Armed Constabulary he was appointed an Inspector. • Its will be fresh in the memory of your readers that charges of a serious nature were, made respecting his conduct on the. morning that the Turoturomokai redoubt was attacked. Those who havo carefully read the Parliamentary papers laid before the Houses on the subject must arrive at the conclusion, whatever their opinions may be on the general merits of the case, that the charge of want of courage was utterly unfounded,